Stiffener for boots and shoes and compound used therein



Patented May 17, 1927.

UNITED STATES V 1,629,110 PATENT OFFICE.

STANLEY P. LOVELL, OF BBOOKTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

S'IHEENEB FOB BOOTS AND SHOES AND COMPOUND USED THEE-EIN- no'mawmApplication and March 10, 1923, Serial 110.6%,267'. Renewed October 1',192a.

The present invention relates to stifleners such as are commonly emloyed for stifiening thetoe and heel portions of the uppers of boots andshoes, and more particularly 5 to that type or class of stifienersadapted to be softened by heat and to harden upon coolin Suchstifieners, as at present made, are

objectionable for various reasons. Some employ a stiffening compoundcontainin rosin or similar crystalline substance, whic not only rendersthe stifl'ener more or less brittle and liable to break' when subjectedto a sharp bending or crushing pressure, but which gives off a dust whensubjected to various operations incident to the preparation and use ofthe stiifeners, such as the dieing out, skiving, and trimming opera;

tions. This dust is unhealthful and annoying to the workmen, besidesinterfering with the roper operation of the machine. Other sti enersemplo pound of such nature t at the work engaging iinstrumentalities ofthe various machmes'such as the needle pf a shoe sewing machine,thetrimmingrknife of the u per or the vamp trimmer, the die cavity 0 theskiving machine, etc., tend to become gummy and sticky and difliculty is,experienced unless proviswn is made for lubricating or cleaning thoseparts during the operation of themachine.

Another ob ection to certain of the stif- Iflenfirs heretofore producedhas heal}! the i tem ratures necessary ro er to so ten the tifiener andthe iiemgerature range wherein the stiffener is in proper condition formanipulation and shaping.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a stiffenersuitable for box toes an counters of boots and shoes which shall avoidthe above mentioned objections to prior stifieners as well as otherobjections more specifically hereinafter referred to, and with thisobject in view the resent invention consists of the stifl'enerereinafter described and more particularlyde- 'fined in the claims.

In carrying out'the present invention I ma use as the base or body ofthe stifl'ener a fibrous material, such as felt, canton flannel,cheesecloth and the like, although preferably a cotton batting isemployed since this gives superior results. Owing to the structurelessopen character of this material and the sized or waxed or otherwise astiffening comfinished surfaces, the stiffening compound with which thebatting is im regnated is freely and uniformly absor ed, and a smooth,paper like surface is obtained which permits the use of the stiffener onall grades of footwear without danger of printing or embossing thestiffener structure through the leather of the shoe, as is the casewhere a woven material is employed and the stif-r fener is in contactwith a thin upper leather.

The stifi'ening material or compound which I employ consists of aligmte-extracted wax combined with a vegetable oil. 1 Preferably Iemploy Montan wax, not only on account of its cheapness but also onaccount of the improved character of the product although other waxessuch as ozoldrerite, gilsonite, or grahamite may be use s Of thevegetable oils I prefer to use the oil of the soya bean. This oil can beprocured in any desired quantit at low cost, and roduces, when combinewith one. of the a ove mentioned waxes, and particularly with Montanwax, a stiffening compound of a. highly satisfactory character. Othervegetable oils, however, may be employed, such as cottonseed oil, cornoil, and less preferably, such .oils as perilla bean oil, 35 arlachjs011, cocoanut oil, ohv'e oil and caster o1 v The siccative or dryingoils, such as linseed oil and China wood oil, are not so well adaptedfor use, not only on account of the characteristics of the compounds ofthese oils with the waxes above mentioned, but also because of theiroxidizing action and liability to heating and spontaneous com bustion.

In reparing the stiifenin compound I have ound satisfactory r ts aresecured by heating Montan wax with soya bean oil, in the roportion of 64pounds of wax to one ga on of oil, to a temperature of approximately deees centigrade, where the wax is dissolve in the oil and the two ma bethoroughly mixed. The base or bo y of the cotton batting or othermaterial is then impregated with the stiffening compound in any suitablemanner, such as by passing the material in the form of a web through theliqmd stlflenin com und, removing the excess compound fiy rollfrs or inany other manner, and permitting the web to cool and harden, after whichit may be dried out and sklved and otherwise prewax and oil.

until 90 degrees or thereabouts is reached,

thus giving a considerable range of temperature during which thestifl'ener may be mani ulated and shaped to the last.

A Feature of the present invention which is of importance is the controlof flexibility of the stiffener by varying the proportion of Practicallyany desired degree of flexibility may be secured by increasing ordiminishingthe proportionate amount of oil. In prior stifleners,particularly in those employing a stiffening compound consisting ofseveral different subpossesses a higi stances, or containing a substanceliable to variation in quality, great difiiculty has been experienced incontrolling or "arying the flexibility. Owing to the substantiallyuniform and unvarying character of my ingredients, I am enabled tosecure the desired flexibility with certainty and ease.

Re-heating of my improved stiffener, for any purpose, does not afi'ectit. F urthermore, the compound is neutral in re-action, thus avoidingall possibility of damage to, or destruction of the adjacent parts ofthe shoe which may 'occur if rosin is employed in the stifieningcompound, by reason of the release'b the moisture or perspiration of thefootot such acids as colophonic and'albeatic or uncombined alkalinesfrom calcium or magnesium resin to.

The stifienin compound which I em loy adhesive quality which 18of-advantage particularly when the stiff- 1,aze,1 1o

ener is used for box toes, since it cements 40 together some or all ofthe several parts of the shoe at the toe, such as the cap, doubler,lining, and stifleneritself. Inasmuch as the compound is free fromstickiness when cold, there is no liability of the sock of the wearer ofthe shoe adhering to the lining.

Having thus described the presentinvention, what is claimed is:- 1. Astifl'ener for boots and shoes and the like, consisting of fibrousmaterial impregnated with a stiffening compound comprisiug Montanwax'and soya bean oil.

2. A stiii'ener for boots and shoes and the like, consisting of fibrousmaterial impreghated with a stiffening compound comprising Montan waxand a vegetable oil.

3. A stiffener for boots and shoes and the like, consisting of fibrousmaterial impregnated with a stifl'ening compound comprisinig alignite-extracted Wax and a vegetable o1 4. it stiffener for boots andshoes and the like, consisting of fibrous material impregnated with astiffening compound comprising a liguite-extracted wax and a semiornon-siccative vegetable oil.

5. A stiffener for boots and shoes and the like, consisting of .a cottonbatting im re mated with Montan wax and a vegetablg oi 6. A stiffenerblank for boots and-shoes and the like, consisting of cotton battinghaving finished surfaces impregnated with stifi'ening compound. I

7. A stiffening compound for fibrous material consisting'of Montan waxand soya 7 bean oil.

STANLEY P. LovELL.

pared for use as box toe or counter blanks, or any'other purpose.

A stiffener as above described \vill soften at approximately 75 degreescentigrade, but the compound itself does not become liquid until 90degrees or thereabouts is reached, thus giving a considerable range oftemperature during which the stiffener may be manipulated and shaped tothe last.

A feature of the present invent-ion which is of importance is thecontrol of flexibility of the stiffener by varying the proportion of waxand oil. Practically any desired degree of flexibility may be secured byincreasing or diminishing the proportionate amount of oil. In priorstiffeners, particularly in those employing a stiffening compoundconsisting of several different substances, or containing a substanceliable to variation in quality, great difficulty has been experienced incontrolling or varying the flexibility. Owing to the substantiallyuniform and unvarying character of my ingredients, I am enabled tosecure the desired flexibility with certainty and ease.

Re-heating of my improved stiffener, for any purpose, does not affectit. Furthermore, the compound is neutral in re-action, thus avoiding allpossibility of damage to. or destruction of'the adjacent parts of theshoe which mayoccur if rosin is employed in the stiffening compound, byreason of the release b 1 the moisture or perspiration of the foot ofsuch acids as colophonic andalbeatic or uncombined alkalines fromcalcium or magnesium r'esinate.

The stiffening compound which I em loy possesses a high adhesive qualityWhic is of advantage particularly when the stiffener is used for boxtoes, since it cements together some or all of the several parts of theshoe at the toe, such as the cap, doubler, lining, and stiffeneritself.Inasmuch as the compound is free from stickiness when cold, there is noliability of the sock of the wearer of the shoe adhering to the lining.

Having thus described the present invention, what is claimed is V 1. Astiffener for boots and shoes and the like, consisting of fibrousmaterial impregnatcd with a stiffening compound comprising Montan Waxandsoya bean oil.

22. A stiffener for boots and shoes and the like, consisting of fibrousmaterial impregnateil with a stiffening compound comprising Montan waxand a. vegetable oil.

3. A stiffener for boots and shoes and the like, consisting of fibrousmaterial impregnated with a stiffening compound comprisinlg alignite-extracted wax and a vegetable o1 4. it stiffener for boots andshoes and the like, consisting of fibrous material impregnated with astiffening compound comprising a lignite-extracted wax and a semiornon-siccative vegetable oil.

5. A stiffener for boots and shoes and the like, consisting of a cottonbatting impregnated with Montan wax and a vegetable oil.

(5. A stiffener blank for boots and shoes and the like, consisting ofcotton batting having finished surfaces impregnated with stiffeningcompound.

7. A stiffening compound for fibrous material consisting 'of Montan waxand soya bean oil.

STANLEY P. LOVELL.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. l, 629, 110.

Granted May, 17, 1927, to

STANLEY P. LOVELL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentrequiring correction as follows: read Stanley P. Lovell; word "dried"read these corrections therein in the Patent Office.

In the grant, page 1 of the printed specification, "died"; and that thesaid Letters Patent name of inventor, for Stanley Lovell line 112, forthe should be read with that the same may conform to the record of thecase Signed and sealed this 7th day of June, A. D. 1927'.

San].

. M. J. Moore,

Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,629,110. Granted May, 17, 1927, to

STANLEY P. LOVELL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentrequiring correction as follows: In the grant, name of inventor, forStanley Lovell read Stanley P. Lovell; page 1 of the printedspecification, line 112, for the word "dried" read "died"; and that thesaid Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein thatthe same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of June, A. D. 1927.

M. J. Moore,

Seal. Acting Commissioner of Patents.

